THE DOCTOR SAYS By Dr. Milton Lum
Boost your memory: There are ways to improve the retention, storage and recall of information.
KUALA LUMPUR (The Malaysia Star), October 3, 2007:
WHEN I was a medical student, my colleagues and I were inundated with a vast amount of information. We used various memory aids (mnemonics, which is derived from the Greek goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, who was reputed to know everything that is past, present and future). The more vivid the mnemonic, the easier the recall.
Ingredients of memory
Memory requires the logical organisation of information, which is a science. But it is also an art because the information perceived by our senses can be remembered better by using various techniques. The ingredients of memory enhance the brain’s network of linkages, thereby making for a more efficient retention, storage and recall.
There are three main ingredients, viz:
imagination – the conversion of new information into images that can be stored;
association – the linking of these images to what is already known;
location – the anchoring of these associations.
Imagination is essential for memory. Mundane information can be remembered if mental images are created and then, with visualisation, changed into something that can be experienced. The more vivid the image; the more likely recall will be.
Associations are made all the time. It is the linkage of two or more dissimilar items. Many associations occur spontaneously because of cultural traditions or inherent meanings. By using natural associations and creating new, unnatural associations, a forgettable item of information can be linked to an unforgettable image.
Location was the primary method used by the ancient Romans. Recall is easier when each item of information is linked to a particular place that had already been set in the mind. An example is the common problem of losing our keys or hand phone. We have all experienced rushing out of our homes only to find that we have misplaced either or both items. Most of us then trigger our memory by retracing our previous movements, either physically or mentally, until we find the items again. We do this by using the art of location.
Types of learners
It is said that humans remember, on average, 60% of what we do, 50% of what we say, 40% of what we see, 30% of what we hear and 20% of what we read but 90% of what we do, say, see and hear.
There are different types of learners, viz:
* Visual learners imbibe information through drawings, pictures, charts, diagrams and films.
* Verbal learners imbibe information through the written word.
* Auditory learners imbibe information through listening to the spoken word.
* Kinaesthetic learners like to try out or copy demonstrations.
Although it is vital to be aware of how one learns best, it is even more vital to bear in mind that multi-sensory learning is the most effective type of learning. This is due to the fact that all the senses are involved and, consequently, all parts of the brain.
Principles of memory enhancement
We can remember better by using external aids (e.g. diaries, note books, computers, PDA, etc) or by enhancing the memory in our brain. The latter can be done by adhering to some of the principles listed below, irrespective of one’s chronological age.
Concentration refers to focusing attention to something intensely or wholly. Interest is important for memory. Inattention is often due to lack of interest. Nonsense material, i.e. what is not understood, is uninteresting and rapidly forgotten. While the assignment may be nonsense initially, attempts to work through it step by step – interpreting, associating, analysing and synthesising – can soon make it meaningful and interesting.
Selection should be judicious as it is not possible to master an entire subject. Attention needs to be focused on material that is new, difficult to understand, and that must be remembered.
Understanding and rote are common ways of remembering. Multiplication tables, etc, are better learnt by rote. However, ideas, concepts, theories, etc, are better learnt by understanding.
The more associations there are for ideas, concepts and theories, the more meaningful they become, and the better the retention and recall. By putting them appropriately in a larger system of ideas, concepts and theories, one remembers better.
Revision and repetition are important as 80% of what is learnt today will be forgotten within 24 hours if no effort is made to remember it. The best time to do so is soon after learning has taken place.
Chunking helps in any learning task. By breaking up material into smaller sections, with numerous lots of beginnings and endings created, recall is facilitated. Recall is the highest at the beginning and the ending of a learning session. One tends to remember considerably less of what is learnt in the middle of learning sessions; so there should be close attention to the middle which is more likely to be forgotten.
The memory techniques available include:
Pegging methods (e.g. number/rhyme and number/shape mnemonics), in which information is linked with pre-selected “landmarks” that can be easily located in the mind.
Story method – information is put together in a tailor-made story.
Journey method – a combination of pegging and story methods. Information data are anchored on a fixed, pre-planned, mental route.
Mind maps – a colourful physical representation of information to be remembered.
DOMINIC (Decipherment of Mnemonically Interpreted Numbers into Characters) – linking numbers to more memorable events or characters.
Recall of the information stored depends on how they have been organised and stored initially. If it was stored in a haphazard manner or was not revised, it would fade away. If it was stored inappropriately by an ineffective association, it would be difficult to retrieve. There is skill in making the appropriate link(s) that enable us to retrieve the memories when we want to do so.
Conclusion
The population is often reminded about a healthy lifestyle, which is focused on physical health. However, it is also important to exercise mentally and keep the brain healthy. There are publications and activities available that can help one make a start and continue to improve the memory. Anyone at any age can do so, even senior citizens. It is moot to remember the adage: If you don’t use it, you lose it.
Dr Milton Lum is Chairperson of the Commonwealth Medical Trust.
Malaysia Festival of the Mind 2007
THE inaugural Malaysia Festival of the Mind will be held October 25-28 at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)’s Petaling Jaya campus. To create awareness among Malaysians about the human mind and its unlimited potential as well as ways of tapping into and developing one’s brainpower to the fullest.
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